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RNA was isolated from inflorescences of individual plants (parents and 45 x F3 progeny plants) containing a mixture of flowers and seeds at various stages of development. Furthermore, it has to be noted that the presence and absence of saponins was correlated with differences in seed coat thickness, with the bitter lines having significantly thicker seed coats than sweet lines. Genes differentially expressed between bitter and sweet lines (population Kurmi (sweet) x 0654) were identified and the fold change in expression between sweet and bitter progeny is listed (See File: Expression differences SWEET x BITTER.xlsx). Please download the file, don't use the preview.
- Q: Find the candidate gene AUR62017204 (C_Quinoa_Scaffold_3489:353903-356143) in this list of differentially expressed genes. Is the gene up- or down-regulated in the sweet progeny?
- Q: The sweet lines carry a non-functional allele of AUR62017204. Study the saponin biosynthesis pathway in figure 2. Study the differential expression .xlsx file and find five genes that are acting in the saponin biosynthesis pathway that are differentially expressed.
- Q: Are they up or down regulated in the sweet lines?
- Q: Explain how the DNA polymorphism in the candidate gene at the QTL locus can influence the expression saponin biosynthesis in the sweet lines.
- Q: Can you think of a reason why, besides the saponin pathway genes, also other genes are differentially expressed?
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